Container for providing easy access to beverage cans

ABSTRACT

A container having a multiplicity of cans therein. The container disclosed is modified from a rectangular, closed wall container to a container with part of the walls removed, thereby allowing easy access to the cans of the container. Applicant discloses a unique relationship between the walls of the opened container and the size of the beverage cans. Applicant also discloses a method for constructing a closed container that may be easily modified to remove the cans of the container.

This application claims priority from a provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/530,027, filed Dec. 16, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Beverage can containers, more specifically a beverage can container for providing easy access to the beverage cans contained therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beverages, such as soda or beer, often come in cylindrical, aluminum, typically 12 oz. cans. Traditionally, one could buy a single can or a “six pack.” The six pack is simply six cans contained in a typically rectangular paper container or hung on interconnected plastic rings.

More recently, cans of soda and beer have become available in packs of twelve cans. The twelve pack is typically rectangular cardboard with the cans, usually in a 4×3 matrix arrangement, stacked closely next to one another. The twelve pack has walls typically constructed of light cardboard or thick paperboard, being thicker than writing stock paper but not as robust or thick as corrugated cardboard. These twelve packs presently enjoy popularity with use by Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola, the two leading providers of soda as well as by many major domestic beer companies.

The twelve pack containers provide a convenient means to carry the beverage cans but are not handy for dispensing the cans. Typically, the consumer will purchase the twelve pack, bring it home, tear the pack open and pull out the cans to stack them in the refrigerator, discarding the container. Applicant provides, however, for a modification to the currently available twelve pack to convert the carrying container to a dispensing container. That is, the cans will remain within the carrying container, the container acting, as modified by applicant as a beverage can dispenser.

An object of Applicant's present invention is to provide for a container for beverage cans which will allow easy access to the beverage cans for easy removal but will also hold the beverage cans therein.

It is also an object of Applicant's present invention to provide a modification to currently existing beverage can containers so that the containers, as modified, will provide easy access to the cans therein.

This and other objects are provided for in a generally rectangular, paper beverage can container with a corner removed on a diagonal line across the two side walls, the line running from a front wall to the adjacent top wall.

This and other objects are provided in an alternate preferred embodiment of a generally rectangular, paper beverage can container with a corner removed along diagonal lines across two side walls, the line running from a front wall to an adjacent top wall, including a portion on the front wall and/or the top wall that includes a second and; or a third tear-away portion to enlarge the opening created by removal of the corner along the top wall and/or the bottom wall.

There are a number of benefits with Applicant's novel beverage container with a dispensing cutout therein. These include ease of access. This is obtained by placing the twelve pack container on edge with a cutout in the upper corner. Easy and fast accessibility to the cold beverage cans will increase consumption and sales of the product.

Applicant's invention also provides for gravity feed to enhance access to the beverage cans. This is created by the weight of the cans when the beverage container is placed in a vertical position. This position naturally pushes the cans, under the influence of gravity, towards the front wall of the container. The cutout location is designed to take maximum advantage of this gravity feed.

Another advantage of Applicant's invention is the ability to effectively utilize space, especially in a refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. By placement of the cutout in the position indicated, the container may be placed vertically to save space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of applicants invention.

FIG. 1A is side view of a 12 oz. beverage can.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the beverage container modified accordingly to Applicant's invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of applicants invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of Applicants invention.

FIG. 4 is a two dimensional pattern of a typical paper twelve pack container illustrating the area removed to provide for applicants unique dispenser.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are perspective, top, and front end and side views respectively of an alternate preferred embodiment of Applicant's invention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E are perspective, top, front end, side, and side view respectively of yet another alternate preferred embodiment of Applicant's invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Line 12A shows the position of a line on the front wall of a beverage container from one side wall to the next, the line being straight and meeting the edge between the front wall and the side wall at a 90° angle. The line 12D shows the position of a diagonal line across each of the two side walls between the front wall and the top wall, lines 12D, at 12B and 12C showing a preferred range of the position of line 12D with respect to the top wall. Line 12E is a line across the top wall, one side wall to the next and perpendicular to the edges of the top wall. The beverage container will be cut through along lines 12A, 12D and 12E to remove section 12 from the rest of the container (See FIG. 1B). The position of lines 12A, 12D and 12E may be premarked, scored (or otherwise weaken) by the manufacturer of the beverage container so as to direct the consumer to the position for cutting and removing portion 12.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modified twelve pack container 10 with cylindrical aluminum 12 oz. beverage cans A packed inside in a 4×3 arrangement and designating two side walls S/W, a top wall T/W, a bottom wall B/W, a front wall F/W and a rear wall R/W. It is noted that the two side walls have the greatest surface area, the top and bottom walls having a surface area between the two side walls and the front and rear walls, which have the least surface area. A support surface, such as a refrigerator shelf, is designated SS. The top, bottom, front and rear walls are defined when the container is placed on a support surface, as illustrated in FIG. 1, with the F/W chosen to provide for the most convenient access. FIG. 1 also illustrates Applicant's modification, being a cut or removed portion 12, the removed portion being a corner of the container where the front wall meets the top wall and defined by a diagonal line across the two sidewalls between the front wall and the top wall, and a line across the top wall and across the front wall, this line along which the removed portion is defined designated 12A.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of the twelve pack of FIG. 1 wherein the dimension designated D is the approximate diameter of a 12 oz. aluminum beverage can, typically about 6.6 centimeters. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the typical twelve pack beverage container is a little over 4 diameters long (about 26 cms) and about 3 “diameters” high (about 20 cms) to enclose therein, in a 3×4 matrix, twelve cans. Furthermore it sometimes includes a handle 14 thereon, the handle typically being walls defining a cut out in the top wall for the receipt of a hand thereinto. The height (H) of a typical 12 oz. metal beverage can is about 12.6 cm.

In FIG. 2 it is seen that Applicant modifies the standard heavy paper wall twelve pack container by cutting off the corner created by the joinder of the front wall and top wall. This is preferably done in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The preferred height of the front wall defined after the cut across the front wall is less than two diameters but greater than one diameter, more preferably between 1.50 and 1.80 times D. Indeed, the most preferred height of the front wall defining the cut to remove portion 12 is between 1¼ diameter and 1¾ diameter. Such dimension allows easy receipt of the second course of cans but is high enough to prevent the second course of cans from falling out when there are still 3 courses in the container.

The preferred length of the top wall defined after the cut is between 1 and 3 diameters, preferably between 1 and 2 diameters. These cut dimensions are illustrated by lines 12B and 12C set forth in FIG. 2.

Cuts along the lines 12A, 12D and 12E may be made with a knife, razor or any other suitable instrument. When the cuts are made as set forth in FIGS. 1 and 2, portion 12 can be removed (See FIG. 1B) and the single can at the top corner will then be removed and the container placed in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 for easy dispensing of the remaining cans.

FIG. 3 provides for a diagonal cut 12C across the side walls S/W's that terminates adjacent handle 14. Handle 14, in a 4×3 twelve pack is usually at 2 diameters from a top edge (half way across top wall T/W) to provide for proper balance.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flattened twelve pack pattern 16 which will fold together to provide for a typical twelve pack with dimension. Handle 14 is illustrated. Scored line 18 is made as part of the process of constructing the container, typically after the outer perimeter 20 defining the pattern 16 of the box is formed. Scored line 18 may be grooves, scratches or notches, or any other means known in the trade to weaken the paperboard such that it is easier for the user to remove portion twelve. Indeed, with proper scoring in ways known in the trade, it is fairly easy to remove portion twelve without a cutting instrument. Note in FIG. 4 that folding the pattern 16 will provide for the twelve pack illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 with the diagonal line 12D running across the side walls from the front wall F/W to the top wall T/W.

In an alternate preferred embodiment Applicant provides a twelve pack container with a line marked on the front wall F/W at between 1D and 2D, on the top wall T/W between 1D and 3D and across the two side walls S/W's to define the pattern for removal of a corner 12 of a twelve pack container as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 to show a consumer that they may cut the container along the line to convert it into the Applicants novel dispenser container as illustrated.

FIGS. 5A-5D and 6A-6E provide an alternate preferred embodiment of Applicant's package that will be placed on edge for dispensing items, as in the previous embodiments. As with previous embodiments, it can be used for dispensing many types of products, including dispensing cans of any diameter or height.

Turning to FIGS. 5A, B, C, and D, the user of the alternate preferred embodiment will typically remove a corner piece 20 that will expose a top and forwardmost item. Removal of corner portion 20 will occur along weakened or scored lines A1, A2 (on both side walls) and A3. This will provide an opening similar to the earlier embodiments, which leaves a front wall that will retain the cans and a top opening sufficient to allow one to grasp the cans or other items, positioned as they are in a row and column arrangement like the earlier embodiment.

However, Applicant also provides for the removal of a second portion 22 along some or all of the remaining front wall, (after corner portion 20 is removed) as best seen in FIGS. 5A and 5C (partial removal of front wall). Removal of second portion 22 will make it easier to remove the contents or items below the top row. Borders 24A and 24B may be left remaining on the front wall (after removal of second portion 22) as well as lip 25 to assist in retaining cans below the top row. However, second portion 22 may also extend directly over to the edges of the side wall and indeed all the way to the bottom of the front wall to effectively remove the entire remainder of the front wall. Second portion 22 is defined by scored or weakened lines B1, B2 and B with A3 representing the upper border of the front wall, following removal of first portion 20.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D illustrate another alternate preferred embodiment of Applicant's present invention. Here, second portion 22, is illustrated again but in smaller width than the portions of the front wall to the left and right of B1 and B3 respectively as seen in FIG. 5C. Lip 25 may be left below line B2 after removal of second portion 22, or the slot created may extend all the way down to the bottom edge of the front wall as seen in FIG. 6C.

The front edge of the carton below the tear line A3 may contain a picture or label of the package contents. The picture or label may, optionally, be identical, in site and appearance, to the item contained therein, and even oriented the way the items are actually oriented in the package.

FIGS. 6A and 6E illustrate additional structure here, lift material 26. Lift material 26 may be comprised of a flap that is connected to edge 28 that is located at the junction of the bottom wall and the rear wall or may be a separate piece of material, either flap or separate, it may be adhesively or otherwise releasably attached to the rear wall of the container. Lift material 26 may also be comprised of additional material remaining on corner portion 20. This is illustrated in FIG. 6A when corner portion 20 is removed following score lines or weakened lines A1, A2 (both side walls) and A3, the removed portion will then include lift material 26 which may be removed from the remainder of corner 20 by separation along scored or weakened lines A4, A5 and A6.

In either case, lift material is intended to be placed underneath the package as when the container is placed in the refrigerator so that it is between the container bottom wall and the container support surface and near edge 28. The effect then is to provide a slight incline of the container towards the front wall so as to allow cylindrical items to roll towards the front wall. Lift material 26 may be folded, as along D1, D2, D3 and D4 as in FIG. 6A so that it is multiple thickness and may be tucked under as it appears set forth in FIG. 6E.

Applicant's novel package may be used in supermarkets for dispensing canned goods such as soup, vegetables, canned foods or beverages. It is designed to distribution of products, typically cylindrical items. However, non-food items may be used in conjunction with applicant's novel packaging, such as motor oil, transmission fluid, etc.

Applicant's novel packaging will reduce clerical time for shelve stocking, conserve shelf space, and provide longer time between restocking. The package is typically rectangular. It may be any size. Indicia may locate the weakened lines.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. A container comprising: a plurality of walls including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and two side walls, the walls containing a multiplicity of stacked cylindrical cans in can columns and can rows, the can columns located between the front wall and the rear wall, there being at least a top can row and a next to the top can row, the top can row including a forwardmost can adjacent the front wall and a rearward most can adjacent the rear wall, each can having a can top, a can bottom, a can height, a can diameter, and a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the front wall, wherein the top wall and the bottom wall are spaced apart by about a whole multiple of can diameters, and the two side walls are spaced apart by about the can height, the front and back wall spaced apart by about a whole multiple of can diameters; a first removable access portion, the removable access portion comprised of a portion of each of the top wall, the front wall and the two side walls, such that removal of the portion leaves a pair of side wall edges, which side wall edges expose a substantial part of the can top and the can bottom of the forwardmost can, for ease of removal of the forwardmost can, and removal of the access portion further provides access to the cans remaining after removal of the forwardmost can; a second removable portion comprising a portion of the front wall remaining after removal of the first removable access portion; and wherein the front wall retains cans in the next to the top can row from rolling out of the container when the bottom wall is resting flat on a support surface. 